A Weird Command

In my time with the Lord last week, I came across a weird command:

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” James 4:8-10

Now this struck me as a strange command from scripture: “Be miserable, mourn, weep and be gloomy.” Doesn’t sound very fun, does it?! Yet, there it is right in the middle of “Draw near to God…” and “…He will exalt you”.

Here’s what I’m processing: What if drawing near to God and being exalted actually comes through the struggles that humble us in misery, mourning, weeping and gloom? What if God’s process for us is to fully embrace the tough seasons and allow them to bring a new level of intimacy and humility that will ultimately end in being exalted?

Not necessarily a fun thought, but strangely, in the midst of a difficult season, it’s kind of comforting. What do you think?

Byron

It wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t meant to be. I think the essence of this is that we tend to “forget” about God when things are good (after all, WE did it, not Him). When times are tough, I feel this is when God is talking to us and letting us know He’s got this if we’ll just turn it over to Him. In fact, I’d point to the words just before what you highlighted: “..you double minded”. Is this suggesting that we want Him in our hour of need and not otherwise? What if we ALWAYS wanted Him and and acted as if we were … miserable and weep… There’s other verses that I feel would point this being the purpose. Thanks for sharing as it does add a level of perspective associated with pain, suffering, and HUMILITY (boy, do I struggle with that last one). You’re much more scholarly than I am on the Bible- and have assisted me with my questions. I’d be curious to learn your full perspective on this verse.

Kevin

Ryan Oros

Scott,
Love the insight. How powerful for any and all of us. “What if God’s process for us is to fully embrace the tough seasons and allow them to bring a new level of intimacy and humility that will ultimately end in being exalted?”

Sammy Jackson

Very interesting Scott. I always enjoy your posts. It is on us to seek him… It’s easier in tough seasons as it’s on the mind; more difficult when things are great. That’s the life he gives us and something I’ve grown to understand more in the last year. The seasons of life change constantly … hope to see you on Sunday soon

Hey Scott! Just reading through some of your posts. So proud of you man!!!
And no doubt pain is our greatest teacher. I’ve had complete perspective shifts in my life due to pain and circumstances that I never thought I would of dealt with or gone through in this life. And wow, does it ever bring humility? If God exalted us too soon before we went through deep places of brokenness, I truly believe in many ways we would somehow think we did it on our own, as though God “helped” us but essentially we didn’t really need His help. Often I don’t even think we realize the depths of our pride and apparent self-sufficiency. I don’t enjoy pain one bit however I make sure to never go through a painful circumstance without making sure this pain gets used to make me a better in some way. This helps me to endure it and see practically how God is using it in His ultimate purposes for my life.
And thanks again for being one of God’s change agents in my life brother.

Hey Scott! Just reading through some of your posts. So proud of you man!!!
And no doubt pain is our greatest teacher. I’ve had complete perspective shifts in my life due to pain and circumstances that I never thought I would of dealt with or gone through in this life. And wow, does it ever bring humility? If God exalted us too soon before we went through deep places of brokenness, I truly believe in many ways we would somehow think we did it on our own, as though God “helped” us but essentially we didn’t really need His help. Often I don’t even think we realize the depths of our pride and apparent self-sufficiency. I don’t enjoy pain one bit however I make sure to never go through a painful circumstance without making sure this pain gets used to make me a better in some way. This helps me to endure it and see practically how God is using it in His ultimate purposes for my life.
And thanks again for being one of God’s change agents in my life brother.